MUMBAI: The planned release of an audit on irrigation expenses in Maharashtra was deferred again as there was no agreement in the state cabinet meeting on on the 'white paper' which is to be brought out on expenses incurred by the water resources ministry.

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan suggested that a presentation on this issue should now be jointly prepared by Water Resources ministry and Agriculture ministry.

The issue of an audit on irrigation has grabbed attention since CM Chavan demanded a white paper on the matter and Water Resources minister Sunil Tatkare announced in the cabinet meeting on 16 thMay that within 15 days it will be released.

The white paper is supposed to provide a clarification on all expenses incurred on irrigation schemes in the last 10 years. It's been almost a month since the NCP minister made this announcement but the paper has not been presented to the cabinet. About Rs.66,000 crore have been spent on irrigation in Maharashtra in the last 10 years.

In Wednesday's meeting, CM Chavan suggested that a district wise breakup should be prepared on how much money has been spent on schemes and how much increased in land under cultivation has been achieved. After some debate this point was accepted by the water resources minister.

Terminal Agro Markets to be set up: The Government decided allow setting up of terminal markets for the agricultural produce in all cities in the state which have a population of more than 10 lakhs. This decision was cleared by the state cabinet.

The state government will provide land to the agricultural marketing committee to set up terminal markets in major cities in the state. Setting up of terminal markets will facilitate farmers to take their produce to sell in the wholesale market run by the agricultural price marketing committees in cities with a population of more than 10 lakhs. The state government has already provided 36 hectare land in Bhivandi to the marketing committee to set up such a terminal market.

Tata memorial gets 5 acre land: Considering the rapid increase in cancer patients in the state, the cabinet also gave its approval to handing over 5 acres of land belonging to Haffkine institute to Tata memorial centre for setting up new cancer treatment centre in Mumbai. The central government has provided an aid of Rs.450 crores to Tata memorial to set up a cancer treatment centre.